CMU President named 2013 Man of Excellence by the Michigan Chronicle

George E. Ross, the 14th president of Central Michigan University, was honored today at the sixth annual Men of Excellence program in Detroit.

Ross was selected for the award by the readership of the Michigan Chronicle as one of Michigan’s most influential African-Americans based on his career success and for inspiring others through vision, leadership, exceptional achievement and service to the community.

“The Michigan Chronicle launched its Men of Excellence campaign more than five years ago to honor and celebrate the many achievements of great men who do good things for Detroit — men who have much to teach all of us about the power of stewardship, wisdom, self-discipline, tenaciousness and humility,” said Chronicle Publisher Hiram Jackson.

Ross, who became CMU president in 2010, has had a 27-year career in higher education leadership. He is particularly noted as an advocate for students, for his vision to make higher education more accessible and for his leadership in preparing CMU to address jobs of the future. Under his tenure, CMU will open the nation’s 137th College of Medicine this summer.

To improve educational opportunities in Detroit, Ross received CMU Board of Trustees’ support in February to lease 4,000 square feet in downtown Detroit. In addition to classroom space, the Detroit site will support student recruitment, student services, government relations, institutional diversity, the president’s office, libraries and CMU’s academic colleges.

Before accepting CMU’s presidency, Ross served as president of Alcorn State University in Mississippi, the nation’s first historically black land grant university, and held leadership positions at Clark Atlanta University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Tuskegee University. He also was previously vice president for finance and administrative services and an accounting professor at CMU.

Ross grew up in Washington, D.C., and Flint. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University, a doctorate from the University of Alabama and earned his CPA credential from the State of Michigan. Ross began his career in Detroit.

The Michigan Chronicle is Michigan’s oldest and most respected African-American newspaper. Founded in April 1936 by Lucius Harper, the Michigan Chronicle has received many awards and is one of the largest weekly newspapers in Michigan.